Substituted styrene-polypiperylene copolymer



Jan. 11', 1944.

F. J. SODAY 2,338,743

SUBSTITUTED STYRENE-POLYP IPERYLENE COPOLYMERS Filed April 1, 1939 PIPERKLENE (CATA LYS T RING suasTnuTEo MONO-METHYL fiTYRENE 'CATALYTmALLY PARTIALLY POLYMERIZED PIPERYLENE- HEAT my: Camus-r) POLYMERIZED RING SUBSTITUTED MONO-METHYL STYRENE- POLYPIPERYL ENE RESIN PRODUCT AQ QW Patented Jan 11, 1944 assam f SUBSTITUTED smm-ronrrrrnitrmnn COPOLYMER Frank J. Soday. Upper Darby. Pa... assignor to The United Gas Improvement Company, a corporation of Pennsylvania Application April 1, 1939, Serial No. 265,514

1: Claims. (omen-sat) This invention relates to new compositions of matter and to a method-for their preparation.

More particularly, this invention pertains to resins resulting from reacting one or more monomeric ring substituted mono-methyl styrenes with piperylene which has been partially polymerized catalytically. .Such material will be referred to herein as partially polymerized piperylene.

It is an-obiect of this invention to provide a new type of synthetic resins. It is a further object. of this invention to provide resins having utility in industrial fields, and particularly in the molding and liquid coating composition fields.

More particularly, it is an object of this inventionto provide varnish and lacquer resins possessing excellent alkali, acid, and water resistant properties. It is also a particular object of this invention to provide molding resins which may be used with or without plasticizing agents or lubricants. It is a further object of this invention to provide resins adapted to produce a smooth surface pleasing in appearance. A further object of the invention is to provide a molding resin with substantially non-shrinking properties.

Still another object of this invention is to provide resins the color oi. which may be readily controlled and varied;

A still further object of the invention is to proacter.

Still other objects will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description and illustrative examples.-

This invention is based upon the discovery that (m Methyl styrene) C H=C Hg Ha (ii-Methyl styrene) These ring substituted mono-methyl styrenes may be obtained by the distillation of the light oil from gas, as well as from other sources.

By, partially polymerized piperylene is meant piperylene which has been subjected to catalytic polymerization conditions suflicient to change its chemical constitution from monomeric piperylene, said polymerization conditions, however, be-

new synthetic resins having. highly desirable properties may be prepared by reacting one or more monomeric ring substituted mono methyl The ring substituted mono-methyl styrenes may be represented as follows:

- crr=cm cal.

(o-Methyl styrene) ing insuilicient to render the polymerized materiai incapable of further reaction.

somewhat with change in polymerization conditions, both with respect to the initial partial polymerization oi. piperylene and the subsequent polymerization of one or more monomeric ring substituted mono-methyl styrenes and the parti ally polymerized piperylene.

For example, the final resins will have increasingly higher melting points with increasingly greater initial polymerization of piperylene.

Furthermore, the relative proportions oi monomeric ring substituted mono-methyl styrene and partially polymerized piperylene reflect themselves in the properties of the resultant resinous compounds to a large extent; For example, the product obtained by reacting parts of monomeric para-methyl styrene with 40 parts of partially polymerized piperylene results in a resinous compound which is particularly suitable for molding or casting. On the other hand, a. resin resulting from reacting 40 parts of monomeric paramethyl styrene with 60 parts or partially polymerized. piperlyene is particularly suitable for varnish and lacquer purposes. In other words,

larger proportions oi monomeric ring substituted mono-methyl styrene result in resins more parpolymerized piperylene result in the production I of resins more particularly suitedior varnish and i as lacquer purposes.

The properties of the resulting resins vary fiuence are the manner in which the initial and final polymerizations are conducted, the concentration and relative purity of the materials undergoingpolymerization, the nature and quantity of catalyst employed, temperature range, reaction time, and the like.

For example, drastic conditions with respect to temperature, concentration of reactants, proportion of catalyst, and reaction time, may result in insoluble polymers or gels instead of the moredesirable soluble resins.

1 The piperylene employed in the preparation or my new resins may be obtained from any suitable source. For instance, piperylene may be obtained Other factors which will have a modifying in- 1 use of fractions containing from 5@ to 100% piperylene is preferred for the production or resins of high quality. I

Fractions in which piperylene is the only diolefine present are preferred, although fractions containing a lesser quantity of butadiene, cyclopentadiene or isoprene, or any combination of two or more of these, or similar materials may be employed without departing from the broad concept of the invention.

The same applies to olefines, such as oleflnes having five carbon atoms.

The accompanying drawing represents a flow sheet of my invention in its broader aspects. As

' shown thereon, an initial step comprises catalytically partially polymerizing piperylene. The :esulting product and ring substituted monomethyl styrene are thereafter subjected to further polymerization employing heat and/or a catalyst to obtain a product, which is my novel polymerized ring substituted. mono-methyl sty rene-polypiperylene resin having very desirable characteristics for use in various arts.

INITIAL PARTIAL PoLYmEmzArIoN or PIPERYLENE The partial initial polymerization of piperylene is effected catalytically by means of acid-acting metallic halides and particmarly acid-acting metallic halide-organic solvent complexes. Ex amples of such catalyst are given hereinafter.

Although considerable variation is permissible when employing an acid-acting metallic halide or an acid-acting metallic halide-organic solvent complex as catalyst, the polymerizing temperature should rarely exceed 100 0., and preferably should not exceed C.; the concentration of piperylene should rarely exceed 86% byvweight of the total solution, and the concentration of catalyst, which is preferably uniformly disturb-=- uted, should rarely exceed 10% by weight of the piperylene present, aithoueh these values are not to be considered as fixed limits.

Two or more of the foregoing catalysts might be employed.

On the other hand, the initial polymerization may be carried out by a combination oi. heat and catalyst.

The catalytic/partial polymerization may be sesame carried out in the liquid state or in the vapor state, or both, and in the presence or absence of sol- "vents.

The partial polymerization of piperylene in a light oil piperylene fraction is illustrated in the following example,

Example 1 a light on piperylene fraction obtained in the manufacture of oil gas and containing 78.9% by weight of piperylene was employed. parts by weight of this piperylene fraction was added to suficient toluene to reduce the piperylene concentration t approximately 25%, after which the mixture was polymerized by adding to it approximately 5 parts byweight of boron trifluoriclei diethyl other complex while maintaining the temperature of the mixture at --2.0 C., and agitatin during a one hour period of addition. Agitation was continued at this temperature for a period of approximately '18 hours after which the reactron mixture was allowed to come to room temperature. The catalyst wa then hydrolyzed by the addition of a 20% aqueous solution of sodium carbonate. Thi was followed by approximately 30 minutes of continuous agitation after which the resultant mixture containing partially polymerized piperylene and unpolymerized constituents was dried by the addition of a small quantity.

of lime, with agitation, for a period of approximately 1 hour. All solid extraneous matter was thereafter removed by filtration.

The fraction containing partially polymerized piperylene, in addition to unpolymerized material, was employed in the preparation of a methyl styrene-poiypiperylene resin as will be more fully set forth hereinafter in Example 2.

0n the other hand, the unpolymerized'material may be wholly or partly removed prior to the final polymerization step.

The ring substituted mono-methyl styrene em ployed in the production of my new resins may be obtained from any suitable source, and may be in the form of pure or commercially or technically pure ring substituted mono-methyl styrene, or in the form of a solution or a fraction such as ob tained from light oil or a mixture of light oil hydrocarbons. The source of light oil may be the same as in the case of the piperylene previously referred to. v

Mixture of monomeric ring substituted monornethyl styrenes also may be reacted with partially polymerized piperylene to give these new resins.- The properties of these resins may be varied considerably by choice of starting materials.

Para-methyl styrene fractions obtained by the distillation of light oil and having boiling ranges between to 180 C. have been satisfactorily employed in the preparation or para methyl styrene-polypiperylene resins. Resins having especially desirable properties have. been obtained when employing para-methyl styrene fractions having boiling ranges between and C. Even more desirable properties are secured in the final resins when the para-methyl styrene fractions employed have boiling ranges between 167 and 173 C.

A comparable degree of purity is preferred when using ring substituted mono-methyl styrenes other than para-methyl styrene in the preparationof these new resins. The use of substantially pure ring substituted mono-methyl styrene or mixtures of substantially pure ring substituted mono-methyl styrenes is preferred when commerassume cially feasible, particularly for resins of the mold- 8 ty Ponrmmzs'rron' or Rmo Srms'nmln Morro- Mmxr. STYRENI AND PARTIALLY Ponmluzsn Prrsansm:

Polymerization ofmonomeric ring substituted mono-methyl styrene or styrenes and partially polymerized piperylene is preferablycarried out by the application of heat, although the reaction may be carried out through the use of catalysts, with or without the application of heat, without departing from the broad concept of the inven- -tion.

wide limits, depending upon the extent of the polymerization desired. A

The following examples illustrate procedure for the preparation of my new resin.

Example 2 A mixture of approximately 170 parts by weight of monomeric para-methyl styrene in the form of a. 53.2% light oil fraction and 37 parts by weight of partially polymerized piperylene preparedas shown in Example 1 and in the form of a 27.9% solution in toluene, was placed in a glass bomb and sealed in an atmosphere of nitrogen. The

bomb was heated for a period of 10 days at a temperature of approximately 100 C. Unpolymerized material was removed from the resultant mass by vaporization at a. temperature of approximately 100 C. and a pressure of 1.0 mm. of mercury, absolute. Approximately 76 parts by weight of a solid thermoplastic resin was secured.

My new resins may be prepared in many desirable color combinations. Color may be obtained either naturally or artificially. Natural colorsmay be secured by varying the source and quality of either the ring substituted monomethyl styrene Or styrenes, or the piperylene, or

both. Either plain or mottled color combinations may be thus obtained.

Resins which are milk-white in color and which resemble ivory in appearance may be prepared by polymerizing mixtures containing pure monomeric ring substituted mono-methyl styrene or styrenes and partially polymerized piperyleno.

Artificial colors andcolor combinations may be produced through. the addition to my new resins of suitable chemical compounds.

Coloring materials, such as organic dyes, inorganic dyes, pigments, and lakes, may be added v to any one or more or the reactants, or to thereaction mixture at any stage, but preferably prior to complete polymerization.

As a rule, organic dyes and other organic col- 5 oring bodies produce resins with pastel shades. Y The coloring compound may, of course, be added to the unpolymerized piperyiene, and may or may not be supplemented during the secondary polymerization reaction, as desired. Or the col.

l oring compound can be added during the second phase of the reaction. a

If desired, the coloring material itself may be prepared in situ by adding the necessary materials to the polymerization-reaction. l

ing materials is given in the following table:

. Table 1 Dye group I Mono azo.

. 'Iriphonylmethane,

gripheinlylmethanepyronine.

yron e. Diphenyl amine.

Mottled effects may be obtained by adding coloring material to the polymerization mass at a stage in the polymerization reaction after which so thorough stirring is no longer required.

Attention is directed to the fact that certain coloring 'materials'may' also act as catalysts or 'as inhibitors to the polymerization reaction. Ac-

cordingly, coloring materials should be selected as to (1) their inertness, (2) their action as catalysts, and (3) their action as inhibitors in order to obtain the desired result. In this, connection, inhibitors may beemployed to retard an ethoswise too hasty reaction.

A proper choice of polymerizing enable almost any be used.

In addition to coloring materials, other addi'tives may be incorporated, such as fillers, of which asbestos, mica, wood flour, cotton linters,

and fabric .waste are examples. v

A decorative filler functioning very much on the order of a coloring material may be added, with or without other coloring matter. Examples of decorative fillers are pearl essence, flaked mercurous chloride; and chitin extracts.

Furthermore, other agents such as mold lubricants, softeners, plasticizers, and the like, may

also be added at any stage of the polymerization as process. l

1 While the use of heat as a polymerizing agent is preferred when reacting ring substituted mono methyl styrene or styrenes with catalytically partially polymerized piperyiene, other polymerizing without the application of heat. I

For instance, polymerization catalysts, such as metallic halides, metallic halide-organic solvent complexes, organic peroxides, contact materials, ultra violet light, ultra sonics, mineral acids, mineral acid-organic solvent mixtures, active metals,

etc., may be employed.

Examples of catalysts which may be employed in either the initial or final polymerization reaction are acid-acting metallic halides 'such' for example as aluminum chloride, aluminum bromide, stannic chloride, boron trifluoride, boron trichloride, zincxchloride, ferric chloride, organic solvent complexes of the foregoing metallic halu ides. Examples of other catalysts which may As an example, a'short list of suitablecolorconditions will I type of coloring material to agents may be employed if desired, either with or complexes.

,nated ,as acid-acting metallic halides.

pinene eroxide, benzoyl peroxide, clay, activated clay, activated carbon, activated alumina, silica gel, fullers earth, diatomaceous earth, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid-diethyl ether mixture, sodium and potassium.

,3 'be employed in-the final polymerization are Organic solvent complexes of the metallic halides are formed by adding the halide to the organic solvent followed by stirring. Examples of organic solvents are benzene, toluene, pentene, decene, diethyl ether, phenyl methyl ether, phenyl ethyl ether, diisopropyl ether, etc.

Metallic halide catalysts (including complexes of such metallic halides) are well-known to be 1 distinguished as a class by their tendency to hydrolyze in-the presence of water, giving an acid reaction; They are therefore frequently desig- This term includes the boron halides and boron halide The catalyst employed in the initial reaction may be used as such or in admixture such as with a suitable solvent to form a suspension, solution or emulsion. A catalyst when employed in the final reaction may be used in similar manner.

Likewise, the reactants may be employed as such or in admixture such as with a suitable solvent, or with additives such as coloring materials etc. referred to above.

In order to control more closely the speed and uniformity of the reaction, I may slowly add, with thorough agitation, a solution of the reactant or reactants to a suspension, or solution of the catalyst in an organic solvent. catalyst may be added to the reactant or reactants, or to a solution containing the same.

Examples of' suitable solvents or diluents for Or, the

merizations, it is preferred to completely remove catalyst from the reaction mass after the desired polymerization is obtained.

Metallic halides, metallic halide-organic solvent complexes and organic peroxides may be removed by any suitable means, such as treating the reaction mass with an alkaline solution followed by thorough washing with water, and filplication of heat. On the other hand, heat might both catalysts and reactants are benzene, toluene,

xylene, solvent naphtha, petroleum naphtha and carbon tetrachloride. In any event, the addition of one material to the other is preferably accompanied by thorough stirring which is preferably rapid to insure uniform distribution of both materials and tem.

perature.

In addition, the reaction is preferably carried out in apparatus capable of temperature control suchas a jacketed vessel provided with an agi tator.

The quantity of catalyst may be varied over a rather wide range in both the initial and the final polymerization reactions, although it is found preferable to employ limited quantities such as from 0.1% to 10% by weight of reactants present.

In general, when employing catalysts to polymerize ring substituted mono-methyl styrene or styrenes and partially polymerized piperylene, temperatures between 60 and 145 C. are suitable. I prefer, however, to use temperatures between --40 and 60 C.'

be applied initially followed by the use of a catalyst. The use of both heat and catalyst has already been referred to. v

' Likewise, the polymerization of monomeric ring substituted mono-methyl styrene or styrenes with partially polymerized ,piperylene might be effected in part by the use of heat and completed by the use of a catalyst, or the polymerization might be started by use of a catalyst, the catalyst removed and the polymerization completed by the use of heat. The use of heat and/or catalyst has already been referred to. r

I prefer to carry out both the initial and the' final polymerizations in the presences of an inert and preferably non-catalytic gas, such as carbon dioxide, or nitrogen, or in the presence of solvent vapors, or vapors of the reaction mass, or in a vacuum. In general, the exclusion of air or oxygen from the material during the polymerization process will prevent any possible formation of undesirable compounds, although this step is by no meansessentialu Furthermore, while it is preferred to carry out the initial catalytic partial polymerization and the final polymerization with the reactants at least for the most part in the liquid phase, it is tobe understood that the reactants might be in the gaseous phase or partly in the gaseous phase and partly in the liquid phase. 1

While any proportion of partially polymerized piperylene to ring substituted mono-methyl styrene or styrenes may be employed in making my new resin, I prefer in the case of coating compositions to employ between 50 and 99% partially polymerized piperylene on the undiluted basis to between 1 and 50% monomeric ring substituted The upper limit of permissible temperature is largely determined. by (l) the concentration of reactants, (2) the concentration of catalyst, and

(3) the reaction time employed. Therefore, if it is found that polymerizationconditions are sumciently drastic to produce an insoluble polymer or gel when a soluble polymer-is desired, one or more of the four conditions,- namely (1) tempera ture, (2) concentration of reactants, (3) proportion of catalyst, and (4) 'reactiontime should be reduced until the desired soluble polymer is obtained.

In general, inboth the initial and final poly mono-methyl styrene or styrenes on the undiluted v basis. 60 to partially polymerized piperylene to 40 to.10% monomeric ring substituted monomethyl styrene orstyrenes is very suitable.

The resin obtained by the polymerization of a mixture containing 80 parts of partially polymerized piperylene to 20 parts of monomeric ring substituted mono-methyl styrene or styrenes'is excellent.

0n the other hand, in the case of casting or molding compositions, I prefer to employ between 50 to 99% monomeric ring substituted monomethyl styrene or styrenes to between 50 to 1% partially polymerized piperylene on-theundiluted basis. 70 to monomeric ring substituted 7g mono-methyl styrene or 'styrenes to 30 to 5% assa'us partially polymerized piperylene, is very suitable.

The resin obtained by the polymerization of a mixture containing 90 parts of monomeric ring substituted mono-methyl styrene or styrenes to parts of partially polymerized piperylene .mass, the resulting resin is ideally suited to the coating of surfaces in general, such as of metal,

wood, glass, ceramic substances, etc., and particularly to the coating of metal surfaces, it may be used for any other purposes, for instance, for lacquers generally, for varnishes either alone or in admixture with other resins, for enamels, for paints, for coating compositions generally, or

perhaps, if desired, for casting and molding particularly when the spread in proportion of reactants is not too great. I

While when monomeric ring substituted monomethyl styrene or styrenes are present in larger proportion in the reaction mass, the resulting resin is ideally suited for casting or molding purposes in which itmay be employed alone, or in admixture with other plastics or resins, either with or without the addition of coloring agents,

fillers, etc., it is conceivablethat, if desired, the

resin might be used for coating purposes, particularly if the spread in proportion of reactants is not too great.

Furthermore, while in thecase of the catalyst employed in the initial catalytic partial polymerization step and when a catalyst is employed in the ilnal polymerization step, it is preferred to haveboth the catalyst and the reactants in diluted form, it is to be understood that any such initial polymerization may be conducted in.

good yield by employing drastic conditions as to (1) concentration of reactants, (2) concentration of catalyst, (3) temperature, and (4) reaction time.

' It is to be understood that while it is preferred to change all or substantially all of the monomeric piperylene to partially polymerized piperylene during 'the initial polymerization reaction,

such a manner as to polymerize only a part of the piperylene present without departing from the spirit of the invention.

While in the examples listed. the initial partial polymerization of the piperylene or piperylene fraction is terminated prior to the addition of the monomeric ring substituted mono-methyl styrene or styrenes, the reaction can also be carried out by the partial polymerization of the piperylene, the addition of the monomeric ring substituted mono-methyl styrene or styrenes during the course of this reaction, and the completion of the'reaction in any desired manner,

Furthermore, while as above particularly described, the catalyst was removed from the par-' tially polymerized piperylene before its co-polymerization with monomeric ring substituted mono-methyl styrene or styrenes, it is to be understood that the co-polymerization may, if desired, be carried forward without first removing other procedure might be followed without departing from thebroad concept of the invention. For instance, all oi. the diluent may be first mixed with either the catalyst or the reactant, or reactants, leaving the other in concentrated form. Or the larger part of the diluent may be added to one, thus leaving the other relatively concentrated. On the other hand; both, the catalyst and they reactant or reactants might be employed Y in concentrated form, particularly if the observations herein with respectto (1) proportion of catalyst, (2) temperature, and (3) reaction time are followed.

It will be understood that any other suitable alkali, such as sodiumhydroxide, sodium carbonate. sodium bicarbonate, magnesium hydroxide,

such catalyst. I

The term ring substituted mono-methyl styrene as used in the claims, and unless otherwise I modified, is intended to embrace pure and substantially pure monomeric ring substituted monomethyl styrene or a mixture of such'substituted styrenes, commercial and technical grades there of, and any mixture or fraction in which one or more monomeric ring substituted mono-methyl styrenes is the predominating active material of said mixture or fraction in the polymerization reaction with partially polymerized piperylene.

The term "piperylene" as used in the claims, and unless otherwise modified, is intended to embrace pure and substantially pure monomeric piperylene, commercial and technical grades thereof, and any mixture or fraction in which monomeric piperylene is the predominating active material of said mixture or fraction in the partial I polymerization thereof.

an amine or other basic substance might be substituted for lime in' the removal of catalyst. preferably followed by a non-acidic drying agent such I .as sodium sulphate or soda lime. Both neutralizing and drying'is effected by lime. Neutralization is preferably followed by filtration, centrifuging or settling to remove extraneous solids.

While I have spoken ratherdisparagingly of I the insoluble type of resin, this is because it is also generally-infusible and, therefore, has few, if any, important uses at the present time.

Should an important use develop for resin which I is insoluble and infusible before use my process may likewise be used to obtain'this material in I The term partially polymerized piperylene as used in the claims, and unless otherwise modifled, is intended to embrace piperylene, as de fined in the preceding paragraph, which has been subjected to polymerization conditions suflicient I to change-the chemical constitution of at least a part of the monomeric piperylene, said polymerization conditions, however, being insufllcient to render the polymerized piperylene incapable of further reaction. I The term "acid-acting metallichalide catalys as used in the claims is intended to include within its scope not only acids-acting metallic halides per se but also complexes thereo such as organic solvent complexes as fully de cribed in the foregoing specification. The term "acidacting metallic halide is likewise intendedv to inelude within its scope boron complexes thereof. I

When percentages of ring-substituted monomethyl styrene andpartia ly polymerized piperylene are expressly recited inthe claims, these are intended to express the proportions of these spehali'des ;as well as ,ciflc compounds on the undiluted basis, that is irrespective of the presence of other material. It is to be understood that the above particular oil piperylene fraction which has been previously partially polymerized catalytically with the aid of an acid-acting metallic halide catalyst; said light oil piperylene fraction having been obtained in the manufacture of oil gas.

2. A synthetic resin comprising the product resulting from the polymerization of ring substituted mono-methyl styrene with piperylene which has been previously partially polymerized catalytically with the aid of an acid-acting metallic halide catalyst. I

3. A snythetic resin comprising the product resulting from the polymerization of a light oil ring substituted methyl styrene fraction in which ring-substituted methyl styrene is the predominating active compound with piperylene which has been previously partihlly polymerized catalytically with the aid of an acid-acting metallic halide catalyst.

4. A snythetic resin comprising the product resulting from the polymerization of ring substituted mono-methyl styrene with a light oil piperylene. fraction which has been previously partially polymerized catalytically with the aid of. an acid-acting metallic halide catalyst, said light oil piperylene fraction prior to said partial polymerization containing more piperylene than any other diolefine.

5. A synthetic resin comprising the product resulting from the polymerization of alight oil ring substituted methyl styrene fraction in which ring-substituted methyl styrene is the predominating active compound with a light oil piperylene fraction which has been previously partially polymerized catalytically with the aid of an acid acting metallic halide catalyst, said light oil piperylene fraction prior to said partial polymerization containing more piperylene than any other dioleflne.

6. A new resinous composition for use in liquid coating compositions comprising the product or the polymerization of from 50% to 99% piperylene which has been previously partially polymerized catalytically with the aid of an acid-acting metallic halide catalyst with from 1% to 50% ring substituted mono-methyl styrene.

'7. A new resinous composition for use in liqui coating compositions comprising the product of the polymerization of from 60 to 90% pipery lene which has been previously partially polymerized catalytically with the aid of an acid-acting metallic halide catalyst with from 40% to 10% of ring substituted mono-methyl styrene.

8. A new resinous composition for use in molding compositions comprising the product of the polymerization of from to 99% ring substituted mono-methyl styrene with from 50% to 1% piperylene which has been previously partially polymerized cataiytically with the aid of an acidacting metallic halide catalyst.

9. A new resinous composition for use in moldacid-acting metallic halide catalyst.

11. A molding composition comprising the product resulting from the polymerization of from 50% to 99% highly concentrated ring substituted mono-methyl styrene with from 1% to 50% highly concentrated piperylene which has been previously partially polymerized catalytically with the aid of an acid-acting metallic halide catalyst.

12. A process comprising polymerizing ring substituted mono-methyl styrene with piperylene which has been previously partially polymerized catalytically with the aid oi. an acid-acting metallic halide catalyst.

13. A process comprising heat polymerizing ring substituted mono-methyl styrene with pi-. perylene which has been previously partially polymerized catalytically with th aid of an acidacting metallic halide catalyst.

1i. A synthetic resin comprising the product thermoplastic product resulting from the heat polymerization of from 70% to monomeric ring substituted mono-methyl styrene with from 30% to 5% piperylene which has been previously partially polymerized catalytically with the aid of an acid-acting metallic halide catalyst.

17. A process for the copolymerization of ring substituted mono-methyl styrene and a light oil piperylene fraction at least 50% in piperylene concentration, comprising subjecting said light oil piperylene fraction to polymerizing conditions in the presence of an acid-acting metallic halide catalyst and maintaining the temperature throughout the reaction mass not in excess of 100 0., the concentration of piperylene not in excess of 80% by weight, and the proportion of catalyst to piperylene not in excess of 10% by weight, stopping the foregoing reaction while said piperylene is still in partially polymerized state, admixing resulting partially polymerized piperylene and monomeric ring substituted FRANK J. SODAY. 

